What are Monocytes?
What are Monocytes?
Monocytes are a type of leukocyte or white blood cell which play a role in immune system function. Depending on a patient's level of health, monocytes make up between one and three percent of the total white blood cells in the body. They can be counted as part of a blood test, and changes in their levels can indicate changes in a patient's health. As a general rule, a low monocyte count is a good sign, and a high count indicates that a problem is present.
-
matt hardy
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Thu Sep 30, 2010 3:23 pm
- Location: chandigarh
- Contact:
Re: What are Monocytes?
hi
Monocytes::
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell are produced in the bone marrow. They make up about 3-8% of the total white blood cell volume. Monocytes can leave the blood stream and enter other tissues and organs in the body, where they have to ability to turn into different types of immune cells called macrophages and dendritic cells.
Once monocytes have turned into macrophages, they are part of the innate immune system, which means that they "non-specifically" destroy any invaders they encounter in the body, such as bacteria and parasites. Non-specifically means that monocytes, after evolving into macrophages, do not have to recognize the invader specifically, but instead simply recognize the invader as something that should not be present and should be destroyed.
thanks
Monocytes::
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell are produced in the bone marrow. They make up about 3-8% of the total white blood cell volume. Monocytes can leave the blood stream and enter other tissues and organs in the body, where they have to ability to turn into different types of immune cells called macrophages and dendritic cells.
Once monocytes have turned into macrophages, they are part of the innate immune system, which means that they "non-specifically" destroy any invaders they encounter in the body, such as bacteria and parasites. Non-specifically means that monocytes, after evolving into macrophages, do not have to recognize the invader specifically, but instead simply recognize the invader as something that should not be present and should be destroyed.
thanks